Bamia Soup – Okra Soup
- medium sized green okra no black spots
Grab a bag of fresh okra. When choosing okra be sure to pick the smaller (not tiniest) medium sized GREEN okra (without any dark spots!) instead of the long large okra because the larger okra are more woody in texture.
woody okra
NOTE: The health benefits of Okra are that:
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/okra.html:
“Okra is:
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Very low in calories, provides just 30 cal per 100 g and contains no saturated fats or cholesterol; but is a rich source of dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins; recommended in cholesterol controlling and weight reduction programs.
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The rich fiber and mucilaginous content in Okra pods helps smooth peristalsis of digested food particles and relieve constipation condition.
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The pods contain healthy amounts of vitamin A, and flavonoid anti-oxidants such as beta carotenes, xanthin and lutein. It is one of the green vegetable with highest levels of these anti-oxidants. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties and are essential for vision. Vitamin A is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural vegetables and fruits rich in flavonoids helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
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Fresh pods are good source of folates; provide about 22% of RDA per 100 g. Consumption of foods rich in folates, especially during pre-conception period helps decrease the incidence of neural tube defects in the offspring.
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The pods are also an excellent source of anti-oxidant vitamin, vitamin-C; provides about 36% of daily recommended levels. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin-C helps body develop immunity against infectious agents, reduce episodes of cold and cough and protects body from harmful free radicals.
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The veggies are rich in B-complex group of vitamins like niacin, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), thiamin and pantothenic acid. The pods also contain good amounts of vitamin K. Vitamin K is a co-factor for blood clotting enzymes and is required for strengthening of bones.
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The pods are also good source of many important minerals such as iron, calcium, manganese and magnesium.”http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/okra.html
Ingredients:
1 cup sliced fresh okra
1/4 tsp salt
2 Cups water
Recipe:
Rinse the okra (I let them sit in cool water) and begin shaving the “fuzzy hair” off by rubbing the blade of the knife up and down.
hairy okra
The okra will become smooth, slimy and slippery.
note the “hairs” on the knife
**Don’t scare the slime because the slime is the vitamin in okra…it is good for stiff joints, gives you shiny hair and is especially great for women’s personal health.
SLIME!
Cut the okra into small slices.
small circular slices
Boil with salt in twice the amount of water than okra. (ie.1 cup okra and 2 cups water). Turn down so that it doesn’t boil over and let it low boil for about 20 minutes.
boil down until okra is soft
Or until soupy. Okra will becomes small bits in the soupy broth.
Give thanks let’s eat!
Vegease 